Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time review (PS2)
“Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a sweeping adventure of betrayal and triumph, the epic legends and deadly creatures of mythic Persia burn to life in this suspense filled tale featuring more twists and turns than the labyrinthine palace itself.”
The Prince of Persia franchise has always been significant for reasons that transcend the video game medium. The original Jordan Mechner platformer released 20 years ago marks the first time the classic Middle-Eastern theme intersected with video games to popular acclaim. Beginning as folk tales, such stories were scribed to paper and eventually translated into novels before being exported to the west. These original novels inspired other writers to utilize the culturally rich palette of themes in their own story telling. As media evolved, the elusive subject matter followed suit and found its way on cinema screens with adaptions in Arabian Nights (1942), Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944) and The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad (1958). The original Prince of Persia (1989), alongside Disney’s Aladdin and countless recent Hollywood adaptions represent the contemporary iterations of these classic tales which have crossed hands, eyes and ears since the 9th century.
As with the other western adaptions, Prince of Persia isn’t particularly deep, but for the most part it renders Middle-Eastern culture in a respectful light and like the other media should be noted as such. It’s not very often that western films and video games portray the Middle-East in a savoury context, if at all.
Sands of Time is arguably the franchise’s strongest embodiment of this long-running trail of folk lore. For these reasons, Sands of Time is one of the more culturally significant video games produced in recent times. With that said, let’s start this review out by talking about how the game is important within its own medium.
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Top 5 game sales per system worldwide in week 25, 2009
What are the best-selling games in America, Japan, and Europe (UK, France, Germany) this week? Thanks to Amazon online sales data here are the games that are the hottest right now. Think of it as a games weather report.
Nintendo Wii
North America: 1. EA Sports Active (Electronic Arts), 2. Wii Fit (Nintendo), 3. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 Wii MotionPlus Bundle (Electronic Arts), 4. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 5. The Conduit (Sega).
Japan: 1. Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo), 2. Wii Fit (Nintendo), 3. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 4. Wii Sports (Nintendo), 5. Shape Boxing: Wii Diet Enjoy! (Rocket Company).
Europe: 1. EA Sports Active (Electronic Arts), 2. Wii Fit (Nintendo), 3. My Fitness Coach (Ubisoft), 4. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 5. Wii Play (Nintendo).
Xbox 360
North America: 1. Fight Night: Round 4 (Electronic Arts), 2. Star Ocean: The Last Hope (Square Enix), 3. Call of Duty: World at War (Activision), 4. Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Atari), 5. Prototype (Activision).
Japan: 1. BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (Arc System Works), 2. Time Leap (Prototype), 3. Mamoru-Kun Has Been Cursed! - Limited Edition with Insanity: The Perfect Terror DVD & Soundtrack CD (G.Rev), 4. Prototype - North American Import Version (Activision).
Europe: 1. Fight Night Round 4 (Electronic Arts), 2. Prototype (Activision), 3. UFC 2009: Undisputed (THQ), 4. Resident Evil 5 (Capcom), 5. Call of Duty: World at War (Activision).
PlayStation 3
North America: 1. Infamous (Sony), 2. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Game of the Year (Activision), 3. Fight Night: Round 4 (Electronic Arts), 4. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Greatest Hits (Konami), 5. Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Atari).
Japan: 1. Atelier Rorona: Arland no Renkinjutsushi (Gust), 2. Atelier Rorona: Arland no Renkinjutsushi - Premium Box (Gust), 3. BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (Arc System Works), 4. Agarest Senki Zero - Limited Edition (Idea Factory), 5. Valkyria Chronicles - The Best of PlayStation 3 (Sega).
Europe: 1. Fight Night Round 4 (Electronic Arts), 2. Infamous (Sony), 3. Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Sony), 4. Killzone 2 (Sony), 5. Prototype (Activision).
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Metroid Prime Trilogy release date is August 24, 2009. Preorder bonuses and Collector’s Edition revealed
Metroid Prime Trilogy for Wii is scheduled for release on August 24th in the US and September 4th, 2009 in Europe.
As we’ve previously reported, the game will include all three Metroid Prime games at a budget price of $50, effectively giving you the first two Prime games for free. Considering that Metroid Prime 3: Echoes alone costs $50.
The first two games are also upgraded with all-new controls that mimick Prime 3 as well as an unlockable reward system featuring Tokens. Which has also been lifted from Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and applied to the first two games, although all-new unlockables will also be included.
The game will be available in a standard edition as well as a Collector’s Edition. The CE version includes not only a sweet tin case, but also an art booklet.
And if you pre-order from GameStop you’ll get the art book AND a free Metroid Prime t-shirt!
Here is a brief description of each Metroid Prime game included in Metroid Prime Trilogy:
METROID PRIME — Samus Aran, a bounty hunter by trade, chases down the evil Space Pirates in the first game of the series. Their intention is to use a genetic mutagen called Phazon to create a super army and take over the universe. While the installments in the series before have never been home to deeply involving storylines, Metroid Prime breaks the shell to offer up one of the most intriguing and read-worthy sagas yet.
METROID PRIME 2: ECHOES — Travel to a planet torn into light and darkness. Hunted by a mysterious entity and a warring race called the Ing, Samus Aran must explore the light and dark worlds of this doomed planet to discover secrets and augment her suit’s weapons and abilities. And now, for the first time in the history of the celebrated Metroid franchise, up to four players can battle each other as they search for weapons, grapple across ceilings, and turn into Morph Balls to make their escapes.
METROID PRIME 3: CORRUPTION — The Galactic Federation’s Base Sector Zero is under attack by Space Pirates. Samus must boot up the generator to restore the defense systems. But at the end of her path, someone awful is waiting for her. The war initiated by Dark Samus and the Space Pirates rages across many planets as they attempt to corrupt each with Phazon seeds. Players use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk to explore alien landscapes, hunt for weapons and information, and destroy the seeds. Saving the planets from Corruption isn’t enough, though. Eventually, players must take down Samus’ mortal enemy, Dark Samus.
Via Joystiq
Serious Sam HD remake announced for Xbox Live Arcade. Due this summer
Serious Sam is returning to videogames late this summer with Serious Sam HD, a remake of Serious Sam: The First Encounter exclusively for Xbox Live by original developer Croteam.
Improvements to the classic first-person shooter with swarms of enemies attacking from every angle include:
* Completely updated HD visuals with dazzling effects
* Online co-op play supporting up to four players
* Surreal Egyptian setting spread across 12 levels.
The game will cost 1200 Microsoft Points.
Via Eurogamer
Silent Hill 6 in the franchise’s future?
Is Silent Hill 6 in the future of the horror franchise? According to Konami’s Tomm Hulett, producer of Silent Hill: Shattered Memories for the Wii, the answer is a definite yes.
Here is a portion of his interview with Joystiq:
J: If this game finds success on the Wii, could the system become the new home base for Silent Hill?
TH: Silent Hill’s an important franchise to Konami, it’s our premier survival horror franchise, so I’m not sure it needs a “home.” I think a lot of fans have gotten used to it being on the PS2 and we are creating a PS2 version of Shattered Memories for them, but it’s been on Microsoft consoles and everyone likes to be scared, so why should we only allow a certain group of people to be scared? I think the Wii allows us to do different things with Silent Hill and the second something stops being scary is when it becomes predictable. I think we need to experiment with Silent Hill, we need to put it on all these different platforms, we need to try new things with the story. Otherwise, it’s just that game where you go through a level once and then it get creepy, and you go through the level again and half the doors are locked. That’s not scary anymore.
Now naturally to ask the question is akin to assuming that Hideo Kojima is going to stop making Metal Gear. But still, it’s always good to know, as a fan of the series, that it will continue.
Read the full interview at Joystiq.
PS3 DualShock 3 silver color controller released in America
Sony has finally released the silver DualShock 3 PS3 controller in America at a price point of $60.
The controller naturally doesn’t feature any extra features, just a very slick silver color. But hey variety is the spice of life, so it’s always a good thing when publishers release hardware in various shades.
So far there is no word on whether the controller will be heading to Europe or not.
Features of the DualShock 3 Silver are:
* DualShock 3 brings back the “rumble” feature for full gameplay immersion.
* Bluetooth Wireless connection to your system, plus USB-USB mini cable for play-and-charge option.
* L2 and R2 analog trigger buttons.
* The DualShock 3 is practically a required upgrade for any hardcore PlayStation 3 owner.
* Highly sensitive motion sensing system so as you move the controller the game moves with it.
Uncharted movie based on the PS3 hit in the making
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune has started its journey to the big-screen from Columbia Pictures.
The movie adaptation of the hit PS3 game from Naughty Dog is being written by Kyle Ward who is also working on a few other upcoming game-based adaptations such as Kane & Lynch (starring Bruce Willis) and Hitman 2.
The Uncharted movie is being produced by Avi Arad, Charles Roven, Ari Arad and Alex Gartner. No word on who is in talks to helm or star in the picture.
Sega’s Retro Gen handheld will play Genesis/Mega Drive cartridges and SD cards
The Sega Nomad is returning. This time the system that plays Genesis and Master System/Mega Drive cartridges is being re-released as a handheld by Innex under the name Retro Gen.
It plays actual Genesis and Master System/Mega Drive games as mentioned above but also includes an SD card that can be used to play “licensed games that have been downloaded and saved to an SD card using a special development cart.”
The Retro Gen also includes a built-in battery that can be charged via USB and has a six-button layout mimicking that of the second Genesis controller that had an improved layout.
It’ll be out in the US on July 25, and costs $50.
Via Kotaku
Official Wii Lightsabers finally being released by LucasArts
Official Wii Lightsaber accessories will be released this Fall for all you Wii Star Wars fans who want to increase the feeling of being a real Jedi.
Licensed by Nintendo and LucasArts, the accessories are being manufactured and distributed by Bensussen Deutsch & Associates, Inc. and marketed by BDA’s Power A brand.
You can get the accessories that resemble Lightsabers in both Anakin and Yoda versions and colors.
Additionally a Clone Trooper Blaster accessory will also be released. It works like other gun accessories and features a slot for both the Wii Remote & Nunchuck to hold them in a gun position. It also will include customization stickers for the tots.
Pricing has been announced but they will likely be priced around $20.
Via Kotaku
Windows 7 prices announced by Microsoft
Microsoft has announced pricing and an “upgrade option program” for their upcoming follow-up Operating System to Windows Vista. It is scheduled to be released in July with general availability of it set for October 22, 2009.
Here are U.S. & European prices for the upgrade program for those upgrading from Vista to Windows 7:
* Windows 7 Home Premium (Upgrade): $119.99 [€119.99]
* Windows 7 Professional (Upgrade): $199.99 [€ 285.00]
* Windows 7 Ultimate (Upgrade): $219.99 [€299.00]
And here are the estimated retail prices for the full packaged retail product of Windows 7 in the U.S.:
Windows 7 Home Premium (Full): $199.99
Windows 7 Professional (Full): $299.99
Windows 7 Ultimate (Full): $319.99
There is also a pre-order sale that allows those who pre-order certain versions to get up to 50% off. The sale will last from June 26 to July 11th and will thus allow you to get the Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade for $50 and the Professional Upgrade for $100. Retailers offering the pre-order sale include Best Buy, Amazon and the Microsoft Store.
Via PC Magazine, Ars Technica
